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Flores A, Nguyen NM, Devanaboyina M, Sanketh S, Athota P, Jagadesan S, Guda C, Yelamanchili SV, Pendyala G. Neurobehavioral Characterization of Perinatal Oxycodone-Exposed Offspring in Early Adolescence. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:29. [PMID: 38874861 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10129-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The opioid epidemic has received considerable attention, but the impact on perinatal opioid-exposed (POE) offspring remains underexplored. This study addresses the emerging public health challenge of understanding and treating POE children. We examined two scenarios using preclinical models: offspring exposed to oxycodone (OXY) in utero (IUO) and acute postnatal OXY (PNO). We hypothesized exposure to OXY during pregnancy primes offspring for neurodevelopmental deficits and severity of deficits is dependent on timing of exposure. Notable findings include reduced head size and brain weight in offspring. Molecular analyses revealed significantly lower levels of inflammasome-specific genes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) highlighted the enrichment of genes associated with mitochondrial and synapse dysfunction in POE offspring. Western blot analysis validated IPA predictions of mitochondrial dysfunction in PFC-derived synaptosomes. Behavioral studies identified significant social deficits in POE offspring. This study presents the first comparative analysis of acute PNO- and IUO-offspring during early adolescence finding acute PNO-offspring have considerably greater deficits. The striking difference in deficit severity in acute PNO-offspring suggests that exposure to opioids in late pregnancy pose the greatest risk for offspring well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Flores
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, UNMC, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Nghi M Nguyen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Murali Devanaboyina
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Samarth Sanketh
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Pranavi Athota
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | | | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Sowmya V Yelamanchili
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- National Strategic Research Institute, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Gurudutt Pendyala
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Child Health Research Institute, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- National Strategic Research Institute, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Ferrante JR, Blendy JA. Advances in animal models of prenatal opioid exposure. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:367-382. [PMID: 38614891 PMCID: PMC11096018 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is a growing public health concern. The complexity of in utero opioid exposure in clinical studies makes it difficult to investigate underlying mechanisms that could ultimately inform early diagnosis and treatments. Clinical studies are unable to dissociate the influence of maternal polypharmacy or the environment from direct effects of in utero opioid exposure, highlighting the need for effective animal models. Early animal models of prenatal opioid exposure primarily used the prototypical opioid, morphine, and opioid exposure that was often limited to a narrow period during gestation. In recent years, the number of preclinical studies has grown rapidly. Newer models utilize both prescription and nonprescription opioids and vary the onset and duration of opioid exposure. In this review, we summarize novel prenatal opioid exposure models developed in recent years and attempt to reconcile results between studies while critically identifying gaps within the current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Ferrante
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julie A Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Flores A, Nguyen NM, Pendyala G. Developmental outcomes with perinatal exposure (DOPE) to prescription opioids. NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2023; 2:339-351. [PMID: 38058996 PMCID: PMC10696573 DOI: 10.1515/nipt-2023-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have found considerable evidence in the past 20 years that perinatal opioid exposure leads to an increased risk of developmental disorders in offspring that persist into adulthood. The use of opioids to treat pain concerning pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum complications has been rising. As a result, communities have reported a 300-400 % increase in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). NOWS represents the initial stage of several behavioral, phenotypic, and synaptic deficits. This review article summarizes the Developmental Outcomes of Perinatal Exposure (DOPE) to prescription opioids. Moreover, we also seek to connect these findings to clinical research that describes DOPE at multiple stages of life. Since specific mechanisms that underlie DOPE remain unclear, this article aims to provide a framework for conceptualizing across all ages and highlight the implications they may have for longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Flores
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nghi M. Nguyen
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Gurudutt Pendyala
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, Omaha, NE, USA
- National Strategic Research Institute, UNMC, Omaha, NE, USA
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